Weird deposits on chicks toenails?

[juliemom25]

We finally have a nice day here in Ohio and so I took a few of our 3 1/2 week old chicks outside. They were very unimpressed, but as I was out there I noticed that 2 of my chicks (EE's) had like weird little "balls" of something in their toenails. The "balls" are pretty much the color of their poop. I tried to pick it off and it was stuck (I didn't try too hard because I didn't want to hurt them). It is right at the tip of the nail and it encompasses the nail tip to varying degrees. What is this? Should I get it off?

Julie

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

its food they have gotten their feet wet and then walked in the food. I had that happen to a few of my polish chicks I ran their feet under warm water until it sofened and it fell off. I did notice that one of them had curled toes afterward and I wondered if it was from that. I would try to get it off right away. Hope this helps Micki

 

[juliemom25]

Thank you so much for the reply! I will try that!

Julie